As she wandered alone in that deep forest, the radiant woman was lost in thought. She wondered, “Who is my father or brother? Who here will protect me? To whom have I been given as wife? How many years have I spent on this earth?” While she pondered thus, Soma’s son, Budha, accompanied by a group of women, caught sight of her. Captivated by the luminous beauty of Ilā, Budha’s heart was seized by desire. He resolved to win her for himself. Budha appeared distinguished, shaven-headed, carrying a water-pot and book, adorned with a bamboo staff, sacred thread, and spade. He took on the form of a twice-born, with a topknot, sacred thread, and earrings, surrounded by young students seeking alms, and carrying sticks, flowers, kusa grass, and water. At the proper moment, Budha called Ilā to him, inviting her into a pavilion beneath the trees, secluded within the forest’s heart. With agitation and a hint of reproach, he spoke to her: “Having abandoned the service of the sacred fire, where have you gone from my dwelling? Your time for recreation is passing, O broad-hipped one; come, come! Why are you so anxious, and for what reason? This is the evening hour for recreation here; after applying ointment, adorn my house with flowers.” Ilā replied, “O possessor of austerity, I have forgotten everything—myself, you as my husband, and my family. Tell me, blameless one.” Budha gently answered the slender and radiant Ilā, “You are Ilā, O beautiful one, and I am called Budha, known as a lover and learned in many ways. Born in a noble family, my father is the chief of Brahmins.” Hearing his words, Ilā entered Budha’s wondrous house. That house, filled with jeweled pillars and created by divine magic, became Ilā’s home, and she felt fulfilled. She marveled, “Ah, what noble conduct! Ah, what great wealth and lineage! For me and for my husband as well—ah, what supreme beauty!” There, in that enchanted abode, Ilā enjoyed herself with Budha for a long time, as if living in Indra’s palace. Meanwhile, the king’s brothers, the sons of Manu led by Ikṣvāku, searched for their lost kin. Their search brought them to the Saravana, where they saw a splendid mare, shining with rays from jeweled ornaments, standing before them—a sight unsurpassed. They recognized her with amazement: “This is Candraprabha, the horse of that great-souled one. How did this excellent horse come to take the form of a mare?” They turned to their priest, the son of Mitra and Varuna, and asked, “What is this strange thing?” Vasiṣṭha, the best among those who know yoga, saw all with the eye of meditation and explained everything. He said, “Long ago, in the Saravana, a condition was set by Shiva’s beloved: any man who enters here will attain womanhood. Even this horse became a female together with the king; Ilā regains manhood, just as he was, like Kubera.” Vasiṣṭha advised them, “In the same way, effort should be made and Pinākin should be worshipped.” The brothers then went to where the great god Maheśvara was and praised Pārvatī and Parameśvara with various hymns. The divine couple responded, “Enough, this is the appointed time—what now? Whatever fruit would come to Ikṣvāku from the horse sacrifice, that will be for both of us; by giving it, will the hero become a Kiṃpuruṣa without doubt?” The sons of Vaivasvata agreed, saying, “So be it,” and departed. After performing the horse sacrifice, Ilā became a Kiṃpuruṣa. For one month, the hero was a man; for another month, Ilā again became a woman. While staying in Budha’s house, Ilā became pregnant. She gave birth to a single son, endowed with many virtues. Budha, having produced this son, Pūru, then returned to heaven. From Ilā’s name, that land became known as Ilāvṛta. The king, born of both the lunar and solar dynasties, Ilā, increased the lineage. Thus, Purūravas, son of Pūru, became the increaser of the lineage; likewise, the king of the Ikṣvāku and solar dynasty is mentioned. Ilā, in the state of Kiṃpuruṣa, was also called Sudyumna, who had three unconquered sons: Utkala, Gaya, and the mighty Haritāśva. Utkalā is the name of Utkala’s land, and Gayāpurī is Gaya’s city. Haritāśva’s region to the south is known together with the Kurus. After installing his son, Purūravas, in the city, Sudyumna established him as king. He then went to enjoy Ilāvṛta, the divine land, living on fruits, while Ikṣvāku’s eldest heir obtained the Madhyadeśa. Nariṣyanta’s son was named Śuka, of great strength; Nābhāga and Ambarīṣa were the sons of Dhṛṣṭa, who had three sons: Dhṛṣṭaketu, steadfast in his own duty, Raṇadhṛṣṭa, mighty, and Ānarta, son of Śaryāti, whose daughter was Sukanyā. Ānarta’s son was Rocamāna, full of splendor; the land was called Ānarta, and the city Kuśasthalī. Rocamāna’s son was Reva, and from Reva came Raivata; Kakudmī was another, the eldest of a hundred sons. His daughter was Revatī, renowned as the wife of Rāma. From Karūṣa came many famous Kārūṣas on earth. Pṛṣadhra, because he killed a cow, became a Śūdra by his teacher’s curse. And the sons of Ikṣvāku were named Vikukṣi, Nimi, and Daṇḍaka.